Sailing a 25D - Comfort vs. Quality Sailing

[bhartley]

We currently own a 23' Sea Sprite (also an Alberg design) which is an absolutely fabulous sailing boat with a very tiny cabin and a tinier v-berth. We are considering a Cape Dory 25D, but don't want to sacrifice a great sailing boat for the ability to sit up in bed!

We also step our own mast using a gallows system. Anyone stepping their own mast on a 25D?

I would love to get feedback from any 25D sailors especially those who have used it for cruising rather than just day sailing. If you prefer, you can email me directly using the email button.

Thanks in advance,


Bly

[Dick Barthel]

Bly,

I've taken my 25D on short cruises numerous times. There is plenty of room for two good sized guys. To me three adults would be pushing it. I wouldn't hesitate to take longer cruises but so far I just haven't had the time. Her range in good conditions during daylight hours is 60-70 nm if you push a little.

The enclosed head is a luxury you won't find on many boats her size.

Dick

[Joe Myerson]

Bly,

You're lucky to have a Seasprite--to my mind it's one of the most beautiful sailboats ever designed. But you'd certainly have trouble spending any time below decks. A 25D would give you lots more room below, and keep you drier while under way. You'd probably have to sacrifice some speed, but the 25D handles very well and sails easily.

I have complete confidence in my boat's ability to handle tough conditions. Like Dick, I mostly take her on daysails and weekend cruises, but I did take a 60-nm trip (each way) last season.

The accommodations are fine for a couple, and perhaps a couple with small children. Any more than that would be cramped. I use the quarter berth for storage and almost never bother opening up the extendible double berth. Storage on longer trips could be a problem, although I guess you could use some of the space taken up by the large head compartment, where most boats have V-berths.

As for the mast, I've always had it stepped by the yard.

Hope this helps.

--Joe

[Dick Kobayashi]

I own a 25D. It is fine but for all practical purposes it is a 2 person boat. I suggest you check out the 27 as well as the 25D. Remember the 25D does not have V berths, but instead has a very comfortable enclosed head. The 27 has the traditional V berth arrangement. There is a lot in London Goes to Sea re the 27 and John Vigor has included the 25D in his Twenty Small Sailboats to Take you anywhere. So there is lots of data around on these topics. Data and observation from real experts - not like me.

[Dean Abramson]

My wife and I have taken many one- and two-week cruises in our 25D. It is very comfortable for two. We have even brought another couple along for a couple of nights, but that is only for really close friends! (Since we had shared tents with these folks many times, this was like luxury.) When we cruise, we rarely go ashore to dine; we have found the galley works well and we cook almost every night, and heat coffee in the morning. The long cockpit seats are where most of my (prone) summer reading happens. We had a three-week cruise planned before events scuttled it, and were looking forward to it. Besides being comfortable, the boat is also very seaworthy.

I don't know how the Sea Sprite sails, but the 25D is a good-sailing boat. If you look at the performance data at
http://www.image-ination.com/sailcalc.html
you will see that in relative terms, the 25D is one of the best performing Cape Dorys of all.

Now, in the interest of full disclosure, I must divulge that I happen to have a 25D for sale at the moment, having bought a CD31. But I am sure that most 25D owners will concur with what I have said. (My boat's info can be found at:
http://www.capedory.org/board/viewtopic.php?t=18579
and there is a link to lots of photos.)

We sailed our 25D for twelve years and totally loved her. I think that for cruising, you have to consider that you will be anchored a lot, maybe fogged in for days at a time, so the added liveablity of the 25D becomes very important. The nice thing about the 25D is that since Mr. Alberg did not attempt to divide a small boat into two cabins, the resulting salon is quite roomy. The table stows completely out of the way, the galley is functional, and the head is first rate. And the quarter berth area makes for excellent storage. Plus the boat sails great, as Carl intended.

See if you can bum a ride on a 25D. I would offer, but mine is on the hard.

A note about John Vigor's book: it is terrific, and a must-read re 25Ds. But, in my copy at least, the drawing, inadvertantly, is NOT of the 25D, but rather of the 25.

Dean

[Anthony P. Jeske]

Bly:
The Sea Sprite 23 has a PHRF rating of 287. A CD-25D rates 252. it looks to me as of you'd realize an improvement in sailing performance with a CD-25D.
Regards,
Tony

[Brian2]

We looked at a few 25Ds when we were ready to move up from our 25. Then I figured we might as well look at a 28. We bought a 28 because for the additional $5,000, it has much to offer. It is a great cruising boat, and it could well be the last boat we ever own. It is completely different than the 25D or 27, as it is much heavier and I heard someone comment that it is a pig in the water. We like the way it sails. After being on my friends 27 with the 1GM I really appreaciate the 2 cynlinder diesel we have. The 27 does seem to be lighter and more responsive under sail. Just a thought. Look around, you may find a great deal, as we did.

[CruiseAlong]

I previously owned a SS23 (1981) and have sailed both the CD25D and CD26. All are fine boats with the SS23 being superb sailing. If you make the jump to the 25D I do not think you will be sorry. It is another fine Alberg design with great handling ability. You will only see a bit more "boat" out there in front of you. But you will feel at home. I would say that if you are inclined to the larger space for cruising for two I don't think you will be disappointed. There are quite a few aspects of the boat will are superior to the SS23 such as hardware, glass port lights, etc. It is a pretty rugged boat for longevity.

[Sea Hunt]

Hello Dean:

I have had a copy of Mr. Vigor's book Twenty Small Sailboats to Take You Anywhere for some time. My copy was published @ 1999.

In my book, the CD 25D is diagramed on page 41. Two photos -starboard side view and view from mast looking down into cabin, cockpit, etc. It is the design of the 25D with the V-berth being the head with a small sink on the starboard side. The two burner stove (Kenyon), mostly inaccessible galley sink and icebox are located on the port side aft near the companionway.

Interesting that you have a copy that shows the CD 25, which, as you mentioned, is configured very different. Mr. Vigor even comments on the significant difference at the beginning of his discussion of the CD 25D. Mr. Vigor must have realized the error in the diagram of the earlier edition of his book and corrected it in subsequent editions of his book.

By the way, for those interested in a CD 25D, Dean's CD 25D is a very well maintained one. I inspected her several weeks ago. I may yet make an offer but right now I still have dock/mooring issues as well as insurance issues. Whoa as me; whoa as me

[doggman]

How do you think a Cape Dory 25 would measure up sailing experience wise to the Sea Sprite 23??